SE. Not till we are a little more certain. It would be dreadful to
open the wound of her grief again for nothing. Oh, if it's only true!

MRS. CARLEY. And you've seen Steve?

LOUISE. Yes, he went off at once to the newspaper to see how authentic
their information was, and then he was going on to the Colemans. [MOLES
_enters Left in answer to the bell._] Moles, bring me the morning paper.

MOLES. [_Unable to suppress his excitement._] I've read it, m'm! We're
all nearly crazy over it downstairs. Lizzie's took to crying and can't
answer her bells.--Is it true, Mrs. Carley?

LOUISE. Yes, we hope it's true, Moles.

MOLES. Thank God, m'm, if you'll excuse me!

LOUISE. But we're not sure yet, and you mustn't let anything drop before
Miss Georgiana till we are certain.

MOLES. No, m'm.

[_He goes out._

MRS. CARLEY. Oughtn't we to give Georgiana a hint to prepare her in some
way?

LOUISE. Perhaps, if we do it very carefully.

MRS. CARLEY. It seems awful to me not to tell her right out. Of course
we won't have Dick Coleman's money to help live on now, if he's back.

LOUISE. Never mind that, mother.

[MOLES _returns with the paper._

MOLES. Here is the paper, m'm, and Miss Shindle is come--she says to
interview the drawing-room.

LOUISE. Very well--tell Miss Georgiana.

MOLES. Yes, m'm.

[_Goes out Right._ LOUISE _looks through the paper._ MOLES _brings in_
BELLA. BELLA _shows signs of suppressed excitement._

BELLA. Oh, Mrs. Carley, have you seen the papers--isn't it splendid?

LOUISE. Yes, if it's only true. We're trying to make sure!

[LOUISE _finds the place in the paper._

MRS. CARLEY. [_Rising._] She doesn't know yet.

BELLA. Oh, Mrs. Carley!

LOUISE. We're waiting to be _sure_, and that we may be almost any
minute.

BELLA. Mercy! I don't see how you can keep it to yourself.

MRS. CARLEY. You might give her a little hint, Bella, if you get a
chance.

BELLA. I wouldn't dare. If I opened my mouth wide enough to give her a
hint, I know it would all burst out!

LOUISE. As soon as Mr. Carley comes, make an excuse to leave her, won't
you? We expect him to bring us some definite news?

BELLA. Yes, indeed!

[MRS. CARLEY _and_ LOUISE _go out Left, as_ GEORGIANA _comes in._

GEORGIANA. [_Pleasantly._] Good morning, Bella.

[_She sits by the table._

BELLA. Good morning, ain't it a fine morning?

GEORGIANA. Is it? I haven't been out.

BELLA. I'm scared to death. [_Laughing nervously._] I a